Shahin Farshchi, Ph.D. Associate

Transcription

1 An Introduction to Technology Commercialization and Venture Capital Shahin Farshchi, Ph.D. Associate 1

2 Talking Points I. Roadmap from the lab to the marketplace II. Who VCs are and how VC works III. How VCs evaluate and fund investment opportunities 2

3 At the laboratory One asks a question or poses a problem A device that performs a novel/improved function A method/material for the lowering power dissipation/cost/size and/or increasing the performance/reliability of a system Several e approaches/solutions o s for addressing the problem/challenges e are proposed New system architecture New process New material New device A researcher creates a proof of concept to prove the validity of his/her approach/solution Results are peer-reviewed, published, and presented to the academic community Disclosures are made to the Office of Technology Licensing 3

4 Startup vs. Licensing Can a business be built around the technology, if further engineered? Is it a standalone system? Battery, memory, solar panel, engine Is it a material that can be sold to a systems integrator? Anode material, dielectric material Does it enable an exclusive service? Method for transporting hydrogen Does it fit into existing distribution/sales channels? WOULD A COMPANY THAT OWNED THIS TECHNOLOGY HAVE A DISTINCT COMPETITIVE EDGE, OR VALUE PROPOSITION? Would an existing company pay to use the process/material as-is? Compound for a drug 4

5 Sources of funding Small-business innovative research grants Government grants that support technology commercialization NSF, NIH, DOE, DoD, etc Phase 1: Feasibility study 6 months, $100,000 Phase 2: Commercialization plan 1 year, $750,000 NIST Advanced Technology Program $1 Million per year Joint research/development agreements A large corporation finances technology development/engineering with specific milestones, in exchange for an option to take a first look at the end product 5

6 Other sources of funding Debt financing Small Business Association loans Typically require some sort of leverage Equity financing Fi Friends, family and dfools Angel investors Venture Capitalists 6

7 Venture Capital Consists of: Limited partners General partners Associates and analysts Limited partners Invest capital into the fund (they bring the money to the table) Do not make decisions as to what investments are made General partners Decide what investments are made Manage the fund Associates and/or analysts Assist the general partnership in making investment decisions 7

8 Evaluating an Investment Opportunity Purpose: Understand the risk and reward associated with the investment Technology Market Financing Competitive Management How much $$$ is needed to get where, and how much as that worth? 8

9 Technology Risk Demonstrating a concept in practice Scaling from a proof of principle to a commercial sample Performance Yield Cost Compatibility with existing peripheral systems Mass manufacturability 9

10 Market Risk Market value What kind of value does the market place on the technology? What is the risk associated with achieving that value? Market window Early entry results in requiring additional capital to keep the business afloat until revenue is generated Late entry puts the company at a competitive disadvantage against incumbents Market size Is there a market? Small market: Will it sustain the company s expenses Large market: What will be the competitive dynamic? 10

11 Competitive Risk Large corporations with cash-rich R&D organizations Engage in a strategic partnership? Other well-funded startup companies Competing technologies Superior and inferior technologies 11

12 What is the potential upside? Does the anticipated upside justify the potential risk? 12

13 Financing the startup Investors offer a term sheet that provides a template for: Pre-money valuation Amount invested and the option pool Vesting schedules Liquidation preferences Board composition Protective provisions Voting rights Only legally-binding term is the exclusivity clause Cannot negotiate with other investors until an agreed date 13

14 Basic terms Valuation The share of the company that the founders are giving up for the venture financing Function of the risk-reward profile Amount invested Financing needs for achieving agreed-upon milestones Liquidation preferences Protects preferred shareholders in an event that the company is liquidated 14

15 Example Series A Financing # of common shares # of Series A preferred shares Fully diluted % Investors % Newco (founders) % Option Pool % Total # of shares: 20 million Preferred shareholders get: Special treatment in an event where the company is liquidated. Voting rights Others outlined by the term sheet 15

16 Future financing rounds Investment Premoney Post F/O % Stake F/O Equity Series A % Series B % Series C % As value-creating milestones are met, capital can be raised at a lower expense to the existing shareholders Although h it may be attractive ti for a founder to get a high h pre-money, the resulting post-money could turn away potential future investors Investors like to look back and see significant increases in company valuation between financing rounds Furthermore, there needs to be enough breathing room in the valuation so that the investors can expect a return that would justify the risk 16

17 How much should you raise? Identify the significant milestones that will significantly reduce risk, hence add value to the company Putting together a team, starting a company, and licensing the technology Showing a proof of concept Attracting a world-class CEO Developing engineering design libraries Delivering product samples to customers Generating revenue Becoming profitable Figure out how much time and money will be required to hit each milestone At least half of the venture money is usually spent on payroll for R&D/engineering at technology-focused startups Request an amount that would take the company to the next step 17

18 Is more $$$ better early on? The first money is also the most difficult to raise Should the entrepreneur try to raise as much as he/she can in the first round? Rationale for yes answer: Better resources can be provided early on to ensure success faster Longer runway means more time will be spent adding value to the company rather than going out to raise money The company will not be marketed as much to VCs Rationale for a no answer: The company s higher post valuation (premoney + amount invested) would make the company less attractive for follow-on investors 18

19 Financing examples $10M raise at a $10M premoney valuation Total VC Inv. Pre VC 1 Inv Post F/O % Stake F/O Equity ($M) VC 1 % Stake VC 1 Equity Series A % % Series B % % Series C % % $2.5M raise at a $2.5M premoney valuation Total VC Inv. Pre VC 1 Inv Post F/O % Stake F/O Equity ($M) VC 1 % Stake VC 1 Equity Series A % % 1.25 Series B % % Series C % % Series D % %

20 Venture investment process The general partnership makes a decision An investment is made in return for a stake in the company The VCs take an active role as advisors and board members Facilitate access to key customers/potential acquirers Assist in securing additional non-dilutive government financing Build visibility and awareness Recruit talent & professional management Assist in raising additional financing Define competitive strategy and positioning The VCs assist in identifying/facilitating an exit Acquisition IPO 20

21 New challenges in early-stage tech VC Specialized innovations Requires in-depth knowledge to appreciate the value proposition and anticipate major challenges that lie ahead Require a deep understanding of an ever more complex value chain for commercialization Semiconductor newcos normally need to deliver working systems prior to exit Requires relationships in place with potential customers to define specifications Complex value chains require investigating/evaluating multiple paths to commercialization VCs will need to shift from passive opportunity seekers to active opportunity builders. Hands-on assistance in shaping and building opportunities for the business 21

22 An Introduction to Technology Commercialization and Venture Capital Shahin Farshchi, Ph.D. Associate 22